Facts Tell, But Stories Sellstring(28) "Facts Tell, But Stories Sell"

May 27, 2013
, , , , , , , , , , , , , Conversation, Marketing/Sales, Networking, Networking Prep, Networking Tactics, Referrals, Sales, Storytelling, Strategy, Success, System, Word of Mouth 4

Over the past few weeks, I’ve posted blogs on how embracing quality, adding members, and seeking engagement are all things that will help networkers and entire networking groups achieve success.  Today, I’d like to talk about an additional tactic for obtaining stellar networking results–sharing stories.

Listening closely to the information shared by those in your referral network will help you in telling positive stories about them when you come across potential opportunities to refer them.  Conducting regular one-to-one meetings with each of your networking partners will also help you become more able to share stories when you refer others to them.  Think about your many positive experiences with your fellow networkers and write them down.

A number of years ago, I met Robert Dickman, author of The Elements of Persuasion, and he taught me the formula for a good story:

  1. A story is a fact
  2. Wrapped in emotion
  3. That compels us to take action
  4. That transforms us in some way

The key here is that a good story compels people to take action and that this action transforms or helps them in some way.  I always try to re-live a story, not just re-tell a story.  Make it sound fresh and alive.  That is an important aspect of storytelling.

Remember that facts tell, but stories sell.  If you want to build your network in order to generate more referrals, overlay storytelling on top of your efforts.

The keys to success within networking groups which I’ve previously posted blogs about (embracing quality, adding members, seeking engagement) can combine with sharing stories for a powerful formula that will help members of networking groups obtain optimum networking results and business growth:

3+1 = Member Success

  • 1-Embrace Quality
  • 2-Add Members
  • 3-Seek Engagement
  • +1 Share Stories

Understanding this formula can improve your business networking success in amazing ways. 

If your networking group already employs this formula, I’d love to hear about the impact it has made on your group’s performance and results.  Please share your feedback (and stories) in the comment forum below.  Thanks!

Marcia Wieder: Bringing Your Dream & Your Vision for Your Business to Fruitionstring(83) "Marcia Wieder: Bringing Your Dream & Your Vision for Your Business to Fruition"

September 27, 2012
, , , , , , , , Author, Business, Educational Resources, Entrepreneurial Enterprise, Global Business, Success, Video Blog 1

In this video, I talk to Marcia Wieder, CEO and Founder of Dream University, about the entrepreneurial mindset of having a vision and a dream for a business and how to successfully realize that vision and that dream.  I met Marcia through the Transformational Leadership Council which we are both members of and, let me tell you, Marcia is truly the best of the best of when it comes to understanding this facet of business.

Marcia explains that in business, dreaming is serious business; it’s the driving force for transformation and without vision, many companies fail. Watch the video for key pointers on how to help your business dream/vision come to fruition and to find out how to get three FREE Dream University e-books on the subject.  Be sure to visit www.DreamUniversity.com for more information.

The Transformation of Business Networkingstring(41) "The Transformation of Business Networking"

May 3, 2012
, , , , BNI, Business, Ivan Misner, Networking, Video Blog, Word of Mouth 9

In this short video, presented by Applied Transformation, Inc., I talk with Roger Green about how business networking has transformed within the last 25-30 years and about how my 1993 doctoral dissertation on business networking was the first of its kind.

What are your thoughts on how business networking has transformed?  What changes have you personally experienced/noticed in the networking world from the time you started on your networking journey up to this point?  Please share your thoughts in the comments section.

The New Indiastring(13) "The New India"

February 21, 2011
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Business, Entrepreneur, Global Business, Networking, Travel 9

I’ve been in India for the past several days conducting seminars on business networking and, I have to say, I’ve been very impressed by the business community here. The businesspeople I’ve met are passionate about learning and they are hungry for information and knowledge.  I have found the audiences here to be extraordinarily respectful and almost sponge-like in their interest in absorbing new ideas.

Although it is still a developing nation, it is obvious that the infrastructure of India is growing quickly.  There are construction projects going on virtually everywhere and the development of transportation systems seems to be a high priority.

India has quite an interesting blend of history, tradition, and modern society, along with a serious quest for improving people’s lives.  I don’t think the West fully recognizes the transformation that is taking place here.  Although the middle or entrepreneurial class in India is only about 20% of the population, this percentage represents over 200 million people!

The fact is, education is crucial to achieving growth and success; India’s business community truly understands this and it is inspiring to see how they wholeheartedly embrace a culture of learning.  With their interest in education and training, and their focus on creating infrastructure, I believe that India is likely to be the financial powerhouse of Asia within the next decade.

Businesspeople around the world would benefit tremendously by following India’s example in regard to the value the people of this country place on education.  It has been an amazing opportunity to be able to experience the culture of India and the graciousness and generosity of the people here.  I am deeply grateful to all those I have met during this trip and judging from the way these people embrace knowledge and exude the Givers Gain® philosophy, I have full confidence that India will soon achieve tremendous growth and worldwide recognition.